Accurate water testing often begins long before a spectrophotometer measures absorbance. For many parameters—including COD, TN, TP, metals, and AOX—sample digestion is the most critical preparatory step. Laboratories that rely on outdated or inconsistent digestion methods often face errors, re-testing costs, and compliance failures.
The NANOCOLOR® VARIO C2 Thermoblock from MACHEREY-NAGEL addresses this challenge with a design built for speed, safety, consistency, and regulatory reliability. When combined with NANOCOLOR® Tube Tests, it provides a complete, streamlined workflow for water, wastewater, industrial, and environmental laboratories.
This blog explains how the VARIO C2 elevates the accuracy of digestion, why NANOCOLOR® tube tests improve data quality, and how laboratories across Australia can benefit from this integrated system.
Why Digestion Quality Matters in Water Analysis
Digestion is essential for breaking down complex compounds and converting analytes into a form that can be accurately detected photometrically. Poor digestion leads to:
- Under- or over-estimated COD values
- Incomplete breakdown of nitrogen or phosphorus
- Interference from organic matrices
- Difficulty meeting NATA/ISO 17025 QC requirements
- Increased re-runs and reagent waste
According to international guidelines, including ISO 15705 (COD) and DIN EN norms, precise temperature control and uniform heating are mandatory for reliable analytical results.
The NANOCOLOR® VARIO C2 meets these demands with lab-grade accuracy and rapid thermal performance.
Fast, Safe, and Consistent Digestions with VARIO C2
1. Speed That Improves Laboratory Throughput
A major bottleneck in digestion workflows is slow heating. The VARIO C2 is engineered for ultra-short heating times, reducing warm-up delays and enabling labs to process more samples per hour.
- Rapid heating significantly shortens total digestion cycles
- Ideal for high-throughput COD and nutrient testing
- Reduces wait times for industrial and council laboratories with routine daily loads
This efficiency translates directly into cost savings and improved operational speed.
2. Smart Touchscreen Control for Error-Free Operation
The VARIO C2 features an intuitive touch-screen interface that simplifies operation even for new users.
- Icon-based program selection
- Real-time temperature display
- Clear prompts for each step
This reduces training time and minimises procedural deviations—a significant benefit for multi-operator laboratories.
3. Safety Features Designed for Daily Use
Handling digestion involves acids, reagents, and high temperatures. The VARIO C2 prioritises safety with:
- Lockable protective lids that prevent accidental opening
- Secure sample positioning
- Robust materials that withstand continuous high-temperature cycles
These features are especially valuable in wastewater plants, environmental labs, and industrial facilities where safety compliance is essential.
4. Internal Quality Control with the NANOCOLOR® T-Set
Consistent temperature accuracy is fundamental for digestion quality. The T-Set system enables:
- Automated verification of temperature accuracy
- Ongoing compliance with laboratory QC protocols
- Documentation for NATA audits and ISO 17025 requirements
This internal QC capability ensures that every digestion batch meets the necessary analytical standards.
NANOCOLOR® Tube Tests: Fast, Accurate, and Safe Photometric Testing
While digestion is the foundation, the reagents and tests used afterwards are just as important. NANOCOLOR® Tube Tests are engineered to minimise errors and maximise reproducibility.
Key Advantages
1. Easy Testing with Pictogram-Based Instructions
Every test is supported with step-by-step pictograms—ideal for rapid onboarding and standardised workflows.
2. Safety Through Closed-System Chemistry
Tube tests eliminate direct contact with acids, oxidisers, and potentially hazardous reagents.
- Reduces chemical handling risks
- Helps meet workplace safety policies
- Prevents contamination from user handling
3. Reliable, Standards-Compliant Reagents
Most NANOCOLOR® tube tests comply with globally recognised standards, including:
- ISO methods
- EN regulations
- EPA guidelines
- DIN standards
This ensures laboratories can trust the results for regulatory reporting.
4. Predosed Reagents for High Reproducibility
Each tube test contains precisely measured reagents, improving:
- Accuracy
- Batch-to-batch consistency
- Inter-operator reproducibility
This is particularly beneficial in COD, nitrate, phosphate, and metal determinations.
Extensive Test Menu for All Water Analysis Needs
Laboratories using the VARIO C2 and NANOCOLOR® Tube Tests can select from a wide range of validated parameters. Vendart customers can choose free test kits from the following groups:
Metals
Aluminium, Cadmium, Chromium (total), Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Zinc
Nutrients & Organics
Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonium, Phosphate, TOC, COD, BOD₅, AOX, POC, Phenolic Index, Organic acids
Anions & Other Key Parameters
Chloride, Fluoride, Sulphate, Cyanide, Thiocyanate, Sulphite, Sulphide, Chlorine/Ozone, Chlorine dioxide
Process-Relevant Indicators
pH, Carbonate hardness, Residual hardness, Potassium, DEHA, Methanol, Ethanol, Surfactants, Hydrocarbons, Starch, Formaldehyde
This broad coverage allows laboratories to run environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance testing, and industrial process control with one integrated system.
Who Benefits Most from the VARIO C2 System?
The VARIO C2 is ideal for laboratories operating in:
- Water and wastewater treatment – COD, TN/TP, metals
- Environmental monitoring – river, groundwater, stormwater
- Mining and minerals – heavy metals, sulphate, cyanide
- Food & beverage – process water and quality checks
- Industrial manufacturing – cooling water, boiler water, chemical processing
- Research institutions – customised digestion protocols
Its speed and reproducibility make it suited for both routine testing and advanced laboratory applications.
Conclusion: A Complete, Modern Digestion Solution for Reliable Water Analysis
The Thermoblock NANOCOLOR® VARIO C2, paired with NANOCOLOR® Tube Tests, offers a streamlined workflow that enhances safety, speed, and analytical reliability. With intuitive controls, rigorous QC capabilities, and a broad test portfolio, this system supports laboratories that need dependable results without unnecessary complexity.
For Australian laboratories seeking greater efficiency and confidence in their water testing processes, the VARIO C2 represents a future-ready solution backed by MACHEREY-NAGEL’s century-long analytical expertise and Vendart’s trusted local support.
For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@vendart.com.au
